Joint for curtain-stretchers, step-ladders, or the like.



No. 684,597. Patented Oct. l5, l90l. -P. BLATT.

JOINT FOR CURTAIN STRETCHERS, STEP LADDERS, OR THE LIKE;

(Application filed July 8, 1901 (No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER BLATT, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

JOINT FOR CURTAlN-STRETCHERS, STEP-LADDERS, OR THE LIKE.

ESPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 684,597, dated October 15, 1901.

Application filed July 8,1901. $erial1lo. 67,563. (No model.)

To It whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER BLATT, a citizen of the United States of America,residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Joints for Ourta-in-Stretchers, Step-Ladders, or the Like, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in joints or hinged and rigid connections, such as are used for folding curtain-stretchers, folding step-ladders, collapsible crates, and the like.

The present invention has for its object the provision of novel means whereby two sections are rigidly secured together and may then be operated in such a manner as will admit the two sections to be easily folded upon one another.

Another object of my invention is to construct a device of the above-described character that will beextremely simple in construction, strong, durable, and comparatively inexpensive to mannfacture,and highly efficient in its operation.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,and wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which- Figure 1 is a plan View of two sections connected together by my improved joint. Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the same folded. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of Fig. 1. Fig. at is a perspective View of the locking-bolt.

In the drawings the reference-numerals 1 and 2 represent two sections of a frame, ladder, or the like, each of these sections having formed at their meeting ends square notches 3 3. These notches when the sections are folded together will register with one another and form a'square opening.

The reference-numeral 4 represents a metallic strap or strip of wood, as the case may be, and a corresponding strap 5 is arranged upon the opposite side of the joint. The strap 4 has formed therein a central aperture 6 and apertures 7 7, and the strap 5 is provided with a central square opening 8 and end apertures 9 9, said apertures corresponding with the apertures '7 7.

The reference numerals 1O 10 represent screwthreaded bolts passing through the straps 4 and 5 and through apertures 9 9 and 7 7, the ends of the threaded bolts being adapted to receive thumb-nuts 11 11.

The reference-numeral12 indicatesa locking-bolt having a square body portion 14 and head 15 and a screw-threaded shank 16. This locking-bolt is inserted in the central openings of the straps 4 and 5, the head portion 15 resting against the strap 5 and the square body portion being seated in the square opening formed by the notches 3 3, the screwthreaded shank extending through the central opening 6 of the strap 4 to receive the thumb-nut 17.

The manner of operating my improvedjoint is as follows: When it is desired to fold a curtain-stretcher, collapse a ladder, or fold a crate, the thumb-nut 17 is removed and the locking-bolt is likewise removed from the joint, thus admitting the two sections to be folded in a manner as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and when it is desired to again place the parts in their former position the sections are placed in position as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings and the lockingbolt then inserted, as hereinbefore described.

The many advantages obtained by the use of myimproved device will be readily apparent from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

It will be noted that various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a joint, the combination of two sections having formed in their meeting ends square notches, a strap pivotally connected to said sections, and a locking-bolt extending through said strap and seated in said notches, substantially as described.

2. In a joint, the combination of two secsections, said sections having formed at their meeting ends square openings, a locking-bolt engaged in said square openings extending through said straps, and means whereby'said locking-bolt is rigidly retained in position, substantially as described.

3. In a joint of the character described, the combination of two hinged sections having formed therein square notches at their meeting ends, straps arranged on each side of said sections, scrow-threaded bolts extending through said sections, thumb-nuts arranged upon said bolts, a locking-bolt arranged in the square notches formed in the meeting ends of said sections, and a thumb-nut secured upon said locking-bolt, all parts being arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

PETER BL-ATT, fitness es:

JOHN NoLAND, E. E. POTTER. 

